Planning a long distance wedding might be too much to handle on your own, however, with some advanced planning and loosening of the reins it can come off with a hitch. So if you have always dreamed about getting married where you grew up, read on and see if it is possible for you.

Choose a date and location as soon as possible. This makes all the other planning easier. Pre-think everything and make sure it is in writing. This is for your protection as well as any vendors you hire.

Do as much planning as possible where you live. Purchase a wedding planning book. It will help you stay organized. All your information will be in one place and at your finger tips at any given moment. Organize it by topics. Write down details, numbers and any conservations you may need to reference later.

Get wedded to the web. You can do a google search for a specific city to aid in planning. Choose your city and state to hone relevant options.

Call your phone company and order yellow pages for your location. Sometimes this may be faster than searching online. You can also pick up a local phone directory on a home visit.

Check out the chamber of commerce. They will be able to send or email info of local vendors as well as sites you might not have thought of. 

Start a Paper Trail

Ask vendors to send you brochures and prices for the date you have selected. Names and numbers of recent brides and grooms as reference. If they are reputable, speaking with past clients of theirs will reinforce your trust in their services. If they refuse, move on. Most vendors have websites. To save time, you may opt to contact them for recent references online.

Another option is to hire a local wedding planner or someone you trust to help you stay organized. With a few phone calls, you can set appointments with several vendors. Email or phone ahead of time. Share your ideas, possible times and dates. Then on a visit home, stop in to see them.

Keep a digital camera with you at all times. If you are meeting with several vendors on a short trip home, you may forget details. Taking pictures is a great way to store less info in the mind. Having less to remember keeps the planning stress free. Reviewing pictures back home will refresh any thoughts as long as you take the pictures.

Parents, one or both sets, can be a huge help with wedding plans. They will know local vendors if this is an option. Take advantage of having someone you can trust back home to over see any decisions you make from a distance. Family or friends will have your best interest at heart. If possible, delegate some of the planning to them.

Leave as much time as possible for short trips back home. If there is a holiday some where in between take advantage of following up with any plans you are concerned about. Ask questions if you are unsure about anything.

Let email be a quick line of communication. You never know when someone will have questions. You can email parents, friends or vendors if anything changes at any hour of the day/night.

It is highly recommended that you meet in person with vendors to avoid any disappointments the day of you wedding. Make a few quick phone calls and set up appointments to coincide with a trip home. Vendors will be prepared for your visit and you will be using the limited time you have wisely.  Plan:

• visits to your ceremony/reception location
• clergy
• caterer and cake maker
• photographer/videographer
• hair salon/nail tech
• florist

Keep in mind such things as tuxedos. These are best rented locally. It is one less thing to carry with you during travel. Returning them will be hassle free especially if one of the groomsmen lives in the city of your wedding location. With a “pretty please” he may offer his services of being in charge of their return.

Stay organized. Make lists and stick to them. Trust that you will get married even if some small detail is over looked. Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

As the big day draws near, double check your planning and have that long distance wedding you dreamt about.